Days To Maturity
The average number of days from when the plant is actively growing in the garden to the expected time of harvest.

60 days

Fruit Size
The average size of the fruit produced by this product.

1-2 inches

Sun
The amount of sunlight this product needs daily in order to perform well in the garden. Full sun means 6 hours of direct sun per day; partial sun means 2-4 hours of direct sun per day; shade means little or no direct sun.

Full Sun

Spread
The width of the plant at maturity.

12 inches

Height
The typical height of this product at maturity.

8-10 inches

Sow Method
This refers to whether the seed should be sown early indoors and the seedlings transplanted outside later, or if the seed should be sown directly in the garden at the recommended planting time.

Thin to stand about 3" apart when seedlings are 1-2" tall. Note that beet seeds are actually clusters of seeds and require more thinning than other crops.

How to Grow

Keep weeds under control during the growing season. Weeds compete with plants for water, space and nutrients, so control them by either cultivating often or use a mulch to prevent their seeds from germinating.

Keep plants well watered during dry periods to promote uninterrupted growth. Plants need about 1 inch of rain per week during the growing season. Use a rain gauge to check to see if you need to add water. It’s best to water with a drip or trickle system that delivers water at low pressure at the soil level. If you water with overhead sprinklers, water early in the day so the foliage has time to dry off before evening, to minimize disease problems. Keep the soil moist but not saturated.

Monitor for pests and diseases. Check with your local Cooperative Extension Service for pest controls recommended for your area.

Harvest and Preserving Tips

Pick the greens when they are 4-6 inches long and the roots are less than 2 inches in diameter.

Harvest roots at 1 inch for baby beets, up to 3 inches for mature beets.

Store fall-harvested beets at 33-35°F at 95% humidity.

Cook beet greens like spinach.

Beet roots can be pickled, grilled, baked or broiled.

To prevent red beets from excessive “bleeding” in cooking, wait until after cooking to peel, remove taproots and slice. Trim off the tops about 1 inch above the roots and wash carefully with a vegetable brush. Boil until tender, then plunge into cold water. When cool enough to handle, slip the skins off with your fingers and remove the little taproots. Slice the beets, or serve whole.

Product Details

Days To Maturity

60 days

Fruit Size

1-2 inches

Sun

Full Sun

Spread

12 inches

Height

8-10 inches

Sow Method

Direct Sow

Planting Time

Spring, Summer

Sow Time

2-4 weeks BLF

Thin

4 inches

Life Cycle

Annual

Reviews

Beet, Cylindra is rated
4.7 out of
5 by
3.

Rated 4 out of
5 by
Raymond Dean White from
Terrific beet butI grew Cylindra for the first time this year so my results may have been my own fault. First of all they had very good flavor. My wife complained that they were a bit on the tough side (after 50 minutes on a full boil) but I think that was because I left them in the ground too long, I planted them in a 5 gallon container on March 1 and didn't harvest them until June 6 (a full 30 days longer than the package says it takes) so maybe they got a tiny bit woody. I still liked the flavor very much and the shape made slicing them much easier than other kinds. I'll grow them again next year and let one or two plants bolt so as to save the seeds.
Kingman, AZ gets less than 8" rainfall per year, sits at 3500' and summertime highs are mostly above 100 with 109 or higher not uncommon. Winter lows rarely get below freezing but can drop into the high teens briefly.

Date published: 2014-08-15

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Victoria from
Great canned beetsI canned and gave my beets to individuals to taste test. Everyone raved at how great these beets were. Tender, juicy, and just the right size for canning.

Date published: 2008-08-19

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Songwood from
Fantastic SlicersI grew these last year for the first time, and I couldn't be more impressed. Their size and shape makes them great for slicing--either for cooking or pickling--very little waste. The flavor was a bonus too--quite sweet. Definitely want to grow these again!